God Bless Baseball !'s topics - tribe.net

these guys make way too much money

2008-07-18T23:03:41Z

http://tiny.cc/SHeAU

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 5 replies

what should basebal do about drugs!

2008-07-18T12:53:01Z

what should basebal do about drugs?

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 0 replies

DEAD sox

2008-07-18T02:43:50Z

you guys suck.

you cant ever bring up 2004 again after the two years following your team has collapsed down the stretch-and after your performence last week-disgraceful. HOW many walks did your pitchers issue? and since game seven in '04 ALCS your team has done NOTHING but choke in the clutch against NY or in the playoffs (where dat broom at?? OH-its still in Chicago)

have fun watching the playoffs from home this october.

as far as i know, the curse is alive and well.

I hope you "idiots" enjoyed your little championship in '04-cus thats the last one you'll get for a LONG LONG time.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 14 replies

Did Navarro Purposely Blow the 8th Inning?

2008-07-17T19:05:46Z

Maybe it’s the innocent little kid in me, but that thought *never* occurred to me last night watching the game.

http://fenwaywest.blogspot.com/2008/07/did-navarro-purposely-blow-8th-inning.html

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 0 replies

shawn chacon

2008-07-17T16:50:17Z

the yankees have just gone bonkers lately. shawn chacon cant take the pressure of playing ball. Look how many runs he gave up going after the pennant a couple years back . Still cant forgive a player like that even though he's had a few great games lately.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 0 replies

What's the best thing about Joe Torre's move from the Yankees to the Dodgers?

2008-07-17T16:34:37Z

What's the best thing about Joe Torre's move from the Yankees to the Dodgers?

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 2 replies

Olympic baseball team has deep California connection

2008-07-17T13:17:08Z

The team will be managed by former Dodger skipper Davey Johnson.
Among them are the Dodger minor leaguers Terry Tiffee, an infielder, and Mike Koplove, a pitcher, and the Angels’ Kevin Jepsen, a pitcher, and Matt Brown, an infielder. All are former major leaguers now playing in the triple A Pacific Coast League.
24 players total to beijing

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 0 replies

Rickey Henderson

2007-08-02T15:55:06Z

The 25 best Rickey Henderson stories....

1) In June 1999, when Henderson was playing with the
Mets, he saw reporters running around the clubhouse
before a game. He asked a teammate what was going on
and he was told that Tom Robson, the team’s hitting
coach, had just been fired. Henderson said, “Who’s
he?”

2) Rickey... on referring to himself in the third
person:
“Listen, people are always saying, ‘Rickey says
Rickey.’ But it’s been blown way out of proportion.
People might catch me, when they know I’m ticked off,
saying, ‘Rickey, what the heck are you doing, Rickey?’
They say, ‘Darn, Rickey, what are you saying Rickey
for? Why don’t you just say, ‘I?’ But I never did. I
always said, ‘Rickey,’ and it became something for
people to joke about.”

3) In the early 1980s, the Oakland A’s accounting
department was freaking out. The books were off $1
million. After an investigation, it was determined
Rickey was the reason why. The GM asked him about a $1
million bonus he had received and Rickey said instead
of cashing it, he framed it and hung it on a wall at
his house.

4) In 1996, Henderson’s first season with San Diego,
he boarded the team bus and was looking for a seat.
Steve Finley said, “You have tenure, sit wherever you
want.” Henderson looked at Finley and said, “Ten
years? Ricky’s been playing at least 16, 17 years.”

5) This one might be my second favorite. This wasn’t
too long ago, I think it was the year he ended up
playing with the Red Sox. Anyway, he called San Diego
GM Kevin Towers and left the following message: “This
is Rickey calling on behalf of Rickey. Rickey wants to
play baseball.”

6) This one happened in Seattle. Rickey struck out and
as the next batter was walking past him, he heard
Henderson say, “Don’t worry, Rickey, you’re still the
best.”

7) Rickey once asked a teammate how long it would take
him to drive to the Dominican Republic.

Moments after breaking Lou Brock’s stolen base
record, Henderson told the crowd – with Brock mere
feet next to him – “Lou Brock was a great base
stealer, but today, I am the greatest of all-time.”

9) Henderson once fell asleep on an ice pack and got
frostbite – which forced him to miss three games — in
mid-August.

10) A reporter asked Henderson if Ken Caminiti’s
estimate that 50 percent of Major League players were
taking steroids was accurate. His response was, “Well,
Rickey’s not one of them, so that’s 49 percent right
there.”

11) Henderson broke Ty Cobb’s career record for runs
scored with a home run. After taking his usual 45
seconds or so around the bases, Rickey slid into home
plate.

12) On being Nolan Ryan’s 5,000th career strikeout:
“It gave me no chance. He (Ryan) just blew it by me.
But it’s an honor. I’ll have another paragraph in all
the baseball books. I’m already in the books three or
four times.”

13) San Diego GM Kevin Towers was trying to contact
Rickey at a nearby hotel. He knew Henderson always
used fake names to avoid the press, fans, etc. He was
trying to think like Rickey and after several
attempts; he was able to get Henderson on the phone.

Rickey had checked in under Richard Pryor.

14) I didn’t believe this one at first. However, I
emailed a few contacts within the Sox organization and
they claim it actually happened. This is priceless, it
really is.

The morning after the Sox finished off their 2004
World Series sweep against St. Louis, Henderson called
someone in the organization looking for tickets to
Game 6 at Fenway Park.

15) The Mets were staying in a hotel less than a mile
from Cinergy Field in Cincinnati. While some players
walked, most took the team bus. A few minutes after
they arrived — again it was less than a mile – the
last players off the bus noticed a stretched limo that
had just pulled up.

Of course, Rickey emerged from the back seat.

16) A reporter once asked Rickey if he talked to
himself, “Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind
myself of what I’m trying to do. You know, I never
answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?”

17) OK, I know everyone has been waiting for it. Alas,
according to both parties involved, it’s not true. I
wish it were. Heck, both Rickey Henderson and John
Olerud have said they wish it were true. But it just
didn’t happen.

The story went that a few weeks into Henderson’s stint
with the Mariners, he walked up to Olerud at the
batting cage and asked him why he wore a batting
helmet in the field. Olerud explained that he had an
aneurysm at nine years old and he wore the helmet for
protection. Legend goes that Henderson said, “Yeah, I
used to play with a guy that had the same thing.”
Legend also goes that Olerud said, “That was me,
Rickey.”

Henderson played with Olerud on the Blue Jays and the
Mets.

18) Rickey was asked if he had the Garth Brooks album
with Friends in Low Places and Henderson said, “Rickey
doesn’t have albums. Rickey has CDs.”

19) During a contract holdout with Oakland in the
early 1990s, Henderson said, “If they want to pay me
like Mike Gallego, I’ll play like Gallego.”

20) In the late 1980s, the Yankees sent Henderson a
six-figure bonus check. After a few months passed, an
internal audit revealed the check had not been cashed.
Current Yankees GM Brian Cashman – then a low-level
nobody with the organization – called Rickey and asked
if there was a problem with the check. Henderson said,
“I’m just waiting for the money market rates to go
up.”

21) This is my all-time favorite. Rickey was pulled
over by a San Diego police officer for speeding. As
the officer was approaching Rickey’s car, the window
went down a few inches and a folded $100 bill emerged.
The officer let Rickey and his money head home without
a ticket.

22) When he was on the Yankees in the mid-1980s,
Henderson told teammates that his condo had such a
great view that he could see, “The Entire State
Building.”

23) During one of his stays with Oakland, Henderson’s
locker was next to Billy Beane’s. After making the
team out of spring training, Beane was sent to the
minors after a few months. Upon his return, about six
weeks later, Henderson looked at Beane and said, “Hey,
man, where have you been? Haven’t seen you in awhile.”

24) To this day and dating back 25 years, before every
game he plays, Henderson stands completely naked in
front of a full length locker room mirror and says,
“Ricky’s the best,” for several minutes.

25) In the last week of his lone season with the Red
Sox, Chairman Tom Werner asked Henderson what he would
like for his ‘going-away’ gift. Henderson said he
wasn’t going anywhere, but he would like owner John
Henry’s Mercedes. Werner said it would be tough to get
the same make and model in less than a week and
Henderson said, “No, I want his car.” Turns out the
Sox got Henderson a Red Thunderbird and when he saw it
on the field before the last game of the season,
Rickey said, “Whose ugly car is on the field?”

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 0 replies

Opening Day is just around the corner

2007-04-21T17:39:12Z

Well I wonder if Young on the Rangers got his ear sewed on and all finished up... a while ago he could not don a batting helmet for it being swolen and sewn back on after it was nearly torn off.

What else is fallout from Spring Training?

Anyone got any bets on who's gonna give a good show the first couple of games?

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 2 replies

Bush leaguers scared of Cuban players?

2006-11-16T23:40:44Z

IS Bush really afraid that US teams will be beaten by the Cuban teams or that some over paid and steroid stoked player will defect there?

I think it is silly to deny Cuba access to the World Games because that is the basis of cultural engagement that normally has been a very effective way of demonstrating the advantages of our system.

It also has triggered the defection of some pretty good players that jumped ship and came to the US to play. :)

Does anyone else think this is just another example of this administration shooting itself in the foot and hitting some innocent bystander?

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/sports/AP-BBI-Classic-Cuba-Denied.html

U.S. Shuts Cuba Out of Baseball Classic
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: December 15, 2005
Filed at 6:21 a.m. ET

NEW YORK (AP) -- The U.S. government is keeping Cuba out of the inaugural World Baseball Classic, citing the standing embargo against the communist island nation.

The Treasury Department told Major League Baseball of its decision Wednesday, according to Pat Courtney, a spokesman for the commissioner's office.

The sport's first World Cup-style tournament was jointly organized by the commissioner's office and the players' union. It includes 16 teams and runs from March 3-20 in the United States, Puerto Rico and Japan.

Organizers will work to have the decision reversed, said Paul Archey, the senior vice president of Major League Baseball International, and Gene Orza, the chief operating officer of the Major League Baseball Players Association.

A permit from the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control is necessary because of U.S. laws governing certain commercial transactions with the Fidel Castro-controlled nation.
(excerpt)

Sadly this sounds just like Castro's decision in a real negative way.

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/12/13/cuba.eu.reut/index.html

We are becoming more and more like them, not setting the example for how to be better than them.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 12 replies

USA Baseball, Basketball

2006-11-16T14:08:56Z

People, we are witnessing the collapse of the United States of America.

Consider this: Back when ol whats his name (dick-tator) of Germany thought his country men had a superior product, only to have Jesse Owens come in and win 4 medals.
Whats his name thought, like we Americans think: We just show up and then hand us the Championship.
At least Germany did win the overall medal count that year.

The same is not so for USA baseball, being eleminated today by mexico. It sux! I hate this crap!

Anyways, the rest is history as far as how Germany fared---they friggin collasped. Had other powers in their country calling shots.

Is this our destiny? to collapse and have other m'fers in our house shot callin? Am I reading too much into this mere lost of a friggin baseball game?! Hmmmmmm.... I dunno. What do you think?

Aww what the heck----America is the place to be! And we do still have the "Superior Product!"
But those m'fers* are catching up.

*m'fers: my friends :-)

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 2 replies

Carlos Villanueva

2006-11-16T13:59:54Z

My boys the Brewers have a potential knuckleball contender.. but he seems to be all over the place..

http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewPlayerProfile.do?playerId=666

Anyone seen this dude? Composition, intensity, form?

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 3 replies

trivia

2006-11-16T13:58:25Z

I was just posed this question.

What are the 9 ways of getting to first base without getting a hit?

I know the easy ones:

Sac Fly
Base on Balls
Hit By Pitch

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 7 replies

Sad day for the Yankees

2006-11-16T13:57:09Z

Yankees minor league manager, team official killed in crash in Dominican Republic

April 20, 2006

NEW YORK (AP) -- New York Yankees minor league manager Oscar Acosta and team official Humberto Trejo were killed in a car accident in the Dominican Republic, the New York Post reported Thursday.

Acosta, the manager of the Gulf Coast Yankees of the Rookie League, and Trejo, the Yankees' field coordinator in the Dominican, were killed in an accident on a highway outside of Santo Domingo on Wednesday night, the newspaper reported.

"Not much is known at this time," Mark Newman, head of the Yankees' minor league operations, told the newspaper.

Acosta, 49, was the pitching coach at Triple-A Columbus from 1996-98, and served in a similar capacity at the major league level with the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers. He was in his third year as manager of the Gulf Coast team, which he led to league championships the last two seasons.

Trejo, 38, was in his 16th season working for the Yankees, serving in a number of capacities, including as a manager, coach and coordinator of the team's Latin America player-development program.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 3 replies

Steve Howe Killed in Accident

2006-11-16T13:55:03Z

NEW YORK (AP) -- Chest stuck out, sneer across his face and a swagger in his step, Steve Howe was the portrait of a cocky, dominant pitcher.

Off the field, he became something else -- the very symbol of the rampant cocaine problem that plagued baseball in the 1980s.

Howe, the relief ace whose promising career was derailed by drug and alcohol abuse, died Friday when his pickup truck rolled over in Coachella, Calif. He was 48.

Howe was killed at 5:55 a.m. PDT about 130 miles east of Los Angeles, said Dalyn Backes of the Riverside County coroner's office. He had been in Arizona on business and was driving back home to Valencia, Calif., business partner Judy Welp said.

Toxicology tests had not yet been performed.

"He was extremely talented, very confident on the mound and had an incredible arm," former Dodgers teammate and Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Obviously, he didn't reach his potential because of other things that crept into his life."

Howe was the 1980 NL Rookie of the Year with Los Angeles, closed out the Dodgers' 1981 World Series championship and was an All-Star the next year.

But for all of his success on the field, the hard-throwing lefty was constantly troubled by addictions. He was suspended seven times and during the 1992 season, he became the first baseball player to be banned for life because of drugs -- an arbitrator reinstated him after the season.

In recent years, he owned an energy drink company in Arizona.

"I just saw Steve last winter when his son was pitching against my son," Scioscia said. "Everything was looking up for him and he looked great. It makes you numb when you hear about a situation like this. He had a roller-coaster ride."

Howe was 47-41 with 91 saves and a 3.03 ERA with the Dodgers, Twins, Rangers and Yankees. His final season in the majors was 1996, and the Yankees released him in June.

A moment of silence was observed at Yankee Stadium before New York played Toronto on Friday night. Howe played for the Yankees from 1991-96.

"I wish more people knew Steve Howe the way I knew him," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "His struggles in life were well documented, but he always tried to fight through them and I will always respect that."

Two days after the Yankees let him go in 1996, Howe was arrested at a Delta Airlines terminal at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport when a loaded .357 Magnum was detected inside his suitcase. He later pleaded guilty to gun possession and was placed on three years' probation and given 150 hours of community service.

Chicago White Sox coach Tim Raines played with Howe in that final year.

"You always get second chances -- third and fourth sometimes. And people really believed in him and that he'd eventually kick the problem. Unfortunately, it didn't happen for him," he said.

Howe tried a comeback in 1997 with Sioux Falls of the independent Northern League and retired after injuring his forearm. That August, he was critically injured in a motorcycle accident in Montana and charged with drunken driving; those charges were later dropped when prosecutors decided his blood test was improperly obtained.

Said former Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda: "Steve played for me for five years and I thought the world of him."

Howe was suspended for the 1984 season by commissioner Bowie Kuhn for cocaine use. Howe was out of the majors in 1986 after a relapse the previous August with Minnesota.

Texas released him before the 1988 season because of an alcohol problem, and he did not pitch again in the big leagues until 1991. In 1992, commissioner Fay Vincent banned him for life, saying Howe had "finally extinguished his opportunity to play major league baseball."

"Howsie had some issues everybody knew about," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said in San Francisco. "Everybody who hasn't played with him didn't know what kind of teammate he was. What you hear about Steve is the drug stuff. ... He was kind of the captain of the bullpen out there."

Welp knew Howe for two years, and said he was doing well.

"His goal was to bring an all-natural energy drink to the United States," she said. "He was so giving, always trying to help people. He used to always say, 'I'm all about the underdog."'

Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow played against Howe in the NL West.

"So many tragic things happened to him in a young 48 years," he said, his eyes red. Maybe he's at peace. He was the nicest guy in the world but he had some demons, unfortunately."

When baseball began checking for steroids in 2005, Howe said he supported a testing program.

"I was one of the first to be fried and tried," he said then.

Howe was 7-9 with 17 saves in 1980, pitching in 59 games as a major part of the Dodgers' bullpen. He played for Los Angeles through the 1983 season.

Howe's struggles were splashed across the sports pages by the mid-1980s, when cocaine use was baseball's most well-publicized predicament. On Thursday, commissioner Bud Selig said that unlike with steroids, baseball was well aware of its troubles then.

"In the '80s, this sport had a very serious cocaine problem -- and that was a pretty consistent pattern," Selig said.

Howe was survived by his wife, Cindy, daughter Chelsi and son Brian.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 1 reply

jose canseco back playing ball again

2006-07-19T15:51:50Z

SAN DIEGO - Jose Canseco accused several top players of steroid use, once had a ball bounce off his head and go over the fence for a home run, and blew out his elbow in his only big league pitching appearance. Now's he's back in baseball, having agreed to a contract with the independent San Diego Surf Dawgs. He's planning to be their designated hitter and — get this — pitch.

The deal comes some 16 months after Canseco attracted Congress' attention with an autobiography, "Juiced," that accused several top players of steroid use.

In March 2005, he testified before the House Government Reform committee that he used performance-enhancing drugs as a player.

The Golden Baseball League announced the agreement Thursday night, saying the former AL MVP and Rookie of the Year will make his Surf Dawgs debut Monday night on the road against the Chico Outlaws — one day after his 42nd birthday.

A call to Canseco's cell phone got this message:

"Hello, Jose Canseco. I have lost my cell phone. If you can, please leave a number when you call. Thank you."

The six-time All-Star will be playing for the league maximum of $2,500 per month.

Canseco's lawyer, Robert Saunooke, told The Associated Press that the GBL contacted Canseco. A few years ago, the slugger said he was being blackballed and kept out of major league baseball.

He hit 462 home runs in a 17-year career with Oakland, Texas, Boston, Toronto, Tampa Bay, the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox.

"Jose's been playing in a summer league, a semipro league in the L.A. area, and he's hit a whole bunch of back-to-back home runs," Saunooke said. "He's knocked the ball out of the park. He's still a very talented athlete. He never stopped being a talented athlete."

The GBL is essentially baseball's lowest rung. Rickey Henderson played for the Surf Dawgs last year as he tried to attract the attention of a big league team.

Canseco, once one of baseball's most-feared hitters — and one of its most colorful figures, on and off the field — hasn't played in the big leagues since 2001 with the Chicago White Sox, who purchased his contract from the independent Newark Bears.

"I'm looking forward to having fun in professional baseball again, as I've really missed it," Canseco said in the Surf Dawgs' news release. "I love what this league is doing for players, communities and families, and I want to be part of it. Rickey had a great experience with the Surf Dawgs last year and it will be great playing for Terry Kennedy and reminding him of the stomping my A's gave his Giants in the '89 World Series."

The GBL said Canseco has agreed to be subjected to its drug-testing policy "that immediately expels any players found using steroids or illegal drugs." The league said nine players, out of more than 200 tested, were tossed for illegal drug use last year.

"Jose will be treated consistent with all of our players regarding drug testing," GBL commissioner Kevin Outchalt said.

In his autobiography, Canseco said he used steroids and introduced them to several other big league sluggers, including Oakland teammate Mark McGwire. Canseco wrote that he injected McGwire with steroids.

In a 2005 interview on the CBS television show "60 Minutes," Canseco also said he injected Rafael Palmeiro with steroids.

The GBL said Canseco weighs 230 pounds, down from his big league playing days.

The news release announcing the deal said Canseco will be the DH "and will showcase his knuckleball as a member of the team's pitching staff."

Canseco made one big league pitching appearance, working the final inning for the Texas Rangers in a 15-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox on May 29, 1993. He walked the bases loaded and allowed three runs and two hits. He threw 12 strikes and 21 balls, most of which were far from the strike zone.

But he tore a ligament in his elbow, ending his season. He said he felt a sharp pain in his elbow on his second pitch, but stayed in and threw 31 more pitches.

Kennedy, the Surf Dawgs' manager, is excited to have Canseco "for both his playing abilities and for his veteran leadership. We can use his offensive power to get us into the playoffs to defend our title, and I'm very interested in seeing him pitch to see if he can help us there as well."

Said GBL president Amit Patel: "We strive to provide a high quality entertainment product, and Jose will undoubtedly be entertaining for our fans."

Canseco was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1986 and MVP in 1988, when he hit 42 homers, drove in 124 runs and stole 40 bases to lead the A's to the World Series, where they were upset by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

That season, Canseco became the first player in major league history to hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 5 replies

Clemens returns

2006-06-04T14:45:17Z

After reading the article on Fox Sports; http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5651570 , I cannot wait to see him pitch again. I last saw him in the World Baseball Classic versus South Africa, granted it was not much of a challenge for him, it was his control of the game that amazes me. At 43 he is better than 99% of the pitchers out there right now. I have to give 1% percent because someone always comes up hot. It will be interesting to see if he can bring the Astro back to the series again. They are going to need some more help than just Clemens, but you have to wonder how much more he has in him.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 11 replies

Mr. 2000 after tonight's game?

2006-05-29T21:41:25Z

Think jeeter's gonna do it? He's already out in the first inning. There is still time in the game. He can DO IT!!! I think on a solo home run tonight baby! Or with the bases loaded making a statement!!!

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 5 replies

kirby puckett suffers stroke

2006-03-07T15:22:30Z

MINNEAPOLIS - Former Minnesota Twins great Kirby Puckett suffered a stroke Sunday morning and was undergoing surgery.

Twins announcer John Gordon said on WCCO Radio that Puckett was having surgery at a Scottsdale, Arizona, hospital.

The 44-year-old Puckett led Minnesota to two World Series championships and is a member of the Hall of Fame.

Information from: WCCO-TV, Minneapolis

Here is wishing kirby and his family all the best. my thoughts and prayers go out to him.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 9 replies

golf

2006-01-31T00:02:42Z

If anyone wants to chat up some golf, check this out....

http://thedimpledball.tribe.net/

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 0 replies

Lasorda is a goomba

2006-01-15T18:31:26Z

Word.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 7 replies

All that glitters isn't gold.

2005-12-30T06:49:17Z

MIAMI (Reuters) - Former Major League Baseball pitcher Jeff Reardon was arrested in Florida in connection with a jewelry store robbery, police said on Tuesday.

A four-time all-star who earned more than $2 million a season at the height of his 16-year career, Reardon walked into a jewelry store on Monday and "handed an employee a note stating that they were being robbed and that he had a gun," Palm Beach Gardens Police said in a news release.

Reardon had 367 saves as one of the dominant relief pitchers of his era, according to Baseball Almanac. He logged 73 wins and 77 losses with an earned-run average of 3.16 in a career that began in 1979 with the New York Mets.

He also played for the Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees before retiring in 1994.

Reardon, who was being held at the Palm Beach County jail, played in three World Series and earned more than $2.5 million per season from the Boston Red Sox in 1991 and 1992, Baseball Almanac said.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 2 replies

The rarest events in the game..

2005-12-12T05:24:47Z

Watching the Cubs OBLITERATE the Marlins tonight, I started thinking about what the rarest events in the game were. Here's my shortlist in a guessed at order of rarity...

The Shutout
The No-Hitter
The Triple Play
The Cycle
The Perfect Game

What else?

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 65 replies

Thank God!

2005-10-11T18:29:56Z

The Yankees lost it to the Angels. I hadn't really figured that the Yanks would make it at all, but they picked it up down teh stretch. I'm still saying White Sox all the way, meaning that it's the Cubs next year. If this keeps up, the Giants aren't too far away!
Chris

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 1 reply

who's it gonna be

2005-10-11T15:31:43Z

ok people, let's have your picks for who's going to win it all this year. for some stupid reason, i keep thinking the Yankees are going to pull it off. let's hear it, who's it gonna be?

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 20 replies

It's Official: Billy Beane has lost the touch

2005-08-04T21:38:46Z

The trades Beane made this off season are quickly being proven to have been utter failures. Trading off the two strongest parts of the Triumpherate of pitching and keeping the weakest link will mean no As in contention this season. Zito hasn't looked anywhere near his Cy Young level since he won the thing. With Atlanta, Hudson has looked good and Mulder, though injury prone, has had a coupel of good starts. The one thing Beane has going for him is Harden, who I admit is becoming a great pitcher.
I think Kendall was a good get, but I really think Beane blew it by trading Hudson and Mulder instead of Mulder and Zito or even just Zito.

And don't get me started on teh Giants
Chris

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 11 replies

Going To Any Games?!

2005-06-14T14:28:31Z

Hopefully I'll be in Los Angeles Dodger Stadium 16 & 17 April when pesky San Diego comes to town!

Dodger Dogs, $7 beer, and maybe some garlic fries!

God Bless Baseball!

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 19 replies

Bonds: Is he finished?

2005-05-26T22:26:38Z

I keep hearing that his knee is silly putty. Looks like he won't be breaking any more records anytime soon. Plus he aint gettin no younger..

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 0 replies

Pink armbands

2005-05-10T16:28:10Z

hey, just wondering if anyone knows the meaning of the pink armbands all MLB players are wearing today. I assume it's b/c of mother's day but perhaps it's breast cancer awareness?

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 1 reply

you better look out for the marlins!!

2005-05-04T10:48:35Z

cause dontrell is a fuckin beast mang

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 10 replies

Giants

2005-04-14T23:14:24Z

I'm very concerned about the Giants' lineup this year. One of them could fall down and break a hip, and you know how hard it is for senior citizens to heal from an injury like that.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 22 replies

steriods / mcgwire - what canseco says

2005-02-28T15:27:53Z

NEW YORK - Jose Canseco says in his upcoming book that he injected Mark McGwire with steroids and introduced several other sluggers to the drugs, the Daily News reported Sunday.

The long-awaited "Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big," is scheduled for release by Regan Books on Feb. 21. Regan publicist Paul Olsewski told The Associated Press in an e-mail that the release date could be moved up.

Parent company HarperCollins posted a book description on its Web site that said Canseco "made himself a guinea pig of the performance-enhancing drugs" and added the 1988 AL MVP "mixed, matched and experimented to such a degree that he became known throughout the league as 'The Chemist.'"

The Daily News did not quote from the book and said it was still being edited. The newspaper would not say how it got the information.

Canseco did not respond to an e-mail from the AP.

Canseco said he, McGwire and Jason Giambi shot steroids together in the bathroom stall at the Oakland Coliseum, the Daily News reported. McGwire has always denied using steroids.

"I have always told the truth and I am saddened I continue to face this line of questioning," McGwire told the newspaper.

Canseco said he introduced Texas teammates Rafael Palmeiro, Ivan Rodriguez and Juan Gonzalez to steroids after being traded to the Rangers in 1992.

"Neither our current owner, general manager and manager were with the Rangers then," Texas spokesman Gregg Elkin said. "The Rangers continue to support baseball's initiative to get steroids out of the game."

Canseco also said President Bush, the Rangers' general managing partner at the time, must have known about the steroid use.

White House spokesman Trent Duffy did not specifically address Canseco's assertion, but said Sunday that Bush's position on steroids "has been known for some time," noting that he condemned the drugs in his 2004 State of the Union address.

A few years ago, Canseco claimed that 80 percent of major leaguers had taken steroids. Last spring, he said: "I think the numbers may have changed. Who knows? Maybe the numbers have diminished."

Canseco hit 462 home runs in a major league career from 1985-2001.

Baseball recently adopted a tougher steroid-testing program after the sport came under increased scrutiny about the drugs. Barry Bonds, Gary Sheffield and Giambi testified before a federal grand jury investigating the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative known as BALCO

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 32 replies

the Red Sox ...

2005-02-27T23:14:24Z

the Red Sox will have their ceremony on April 11, before their home opener, which is against the Yankees!

This is friggin great! Stuff like this part of the reasons I love baseball!

It's gonna be a great friggin season!

God Bless Baseball, the Dodgers, and no one else!

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 6 replies

in the begining...

2005-02-24T14:42:51Z

in the begining of every season there is always one team that takes off like a rocket winning maybe 17 of 20 games. Only to fizzle out by the middle of june.

Last Year I think it was the Rangers the year before it was Kansas city anyone care to guess who they think it might be this year?

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 5 replies

wade boggs hall off fame this summer

2005-02-24T01:13:56Z

Wade Boggs
Born: June 15, 1958, in Omaha, Nebraska Batted left, threw right Stats
All-Star Appearances (12): 1985-1996 (consecutive) Gold Glove Awards (2): 1994-1995 A.L. Batting Titles (5): 1983, 1985-1988

Wade Boggs was a virtuoso with a bat. Purely and simply, he was one of the game's true masters at striking a baseball between the foul lines at an alarmingly successful rate. In a sense, he was an artist whose medium was the National Pastime, whose tool of choice was a bat, and whose canvas was a ball field. Thanks to his many gifts, including great bat control and a good eye, Boggs now finds himself enshrined among the greatest ball players ever - in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Boggs' late mother, Susan, in a People magazine interview, may have summed it up best when she said, "It seemed like he was born to hit just like some kids are born to play the piano." Wade Anthony Boggs was born June 15, 1958, in Omaha, Nebraska. One of three children, his family moved often as his father was a career military officer. Eventually settling in the Tampa, Florida area, Boggs developed into a multi-sport star at Plant High School. His father, Winfield, a fast-pitch softball star, helped coach his young son and taught him his inside-out swing. Boggs eventually earned All-State honors in football (as a kicker) and baseball. As a junior he played shortstop and, utilizing solid plate discipline, batted .552. His high school diamond career ended in a flourish, as he collected 26 hits in his final 32 at-bats his senior season, finishing with a .485 batting average.

After high school, Boggs, who had turned down college football scholarships, was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the seventh round of the 1976 free-agent draft. He was signed by Boston scout George Digby on June 10, 1976,, for a $7,500 bonus, and Boggs soon found himself playing in Elmira (N.Y.) Pioneers of the New York-Penn League. The 18-year-old freshman batted .263, the last time he would hit under .300 in his next 15 professional seasons.

"Everyone was looking for the perfect player, and he wasn't a good runner, he didn't have great hands, or an outstanding arm," Digby would say years later. "But I liked his bat. I scout bats. I never saw anyone yet that can steal first base."

Dick Berardino, Boggs' manager in Elmira, would later talk about how he made a mistake in his initial evaluations of his new player. "I wrote that he was a definite Triple-A prospect, but only a marginal major leaguer," he said. "I may have been way off base, but I don't think anybody in his right mind would have predicted that kind of success for Boggs." Boggs' talent for hitting soon became evident as he advanced up Boston's minor league ladder. After playing in Elmira, he spent a season with Winston-Salem (N.C.), and two years each in Bristol (Conn.) and Pawtucket (R.I.). And what he lacked in power and foot speed he made up in hits. In six minor league seasons, Boggs ranked among the top four in average five times, with batting averages as high as .335, .332 and .325.

"There are a lot of power hitters, but I think if I continue to hit for a high average, I'll get a fairly good shot at the majors," said Boggs in a 1979 interview. It was during Boggs' final minor league campaign, in 1981 with the Pawtucket Red Sox, that he took part in the longest game in professional baseball history. The 33-inning contest, against a Rochester Red Wings team with Cal Ripken Jr. in the lineup, lasted 8 hours 25 minutes and was played over a span of 66 days.

After 662 minor league games, Boggs finally made the big league Red Sox as a utility infielder in 1982, and what a debut it was. After incumbent third baseman Carney Lansford suffered an ankle injury, Boggs was inserted in the lineup and didn't leave, getting much of his playing time at first base. He batted .349, the highest in the American League (though he didn't have enough at-bats to qualify for the batting title) and highest ever by an American League rookie appearing in at least 100 games. Boggs also finished third in American League Rookie of the Year voting, behind Ripken and Kent Hrbek. Third base became Boggs' permanent home after the Red Sox traded Lansford to Oakland before the beginning of the 1983 season. As an everyday player he did not disappoint, rewarding Boston's faith by batting a league-leading .361, while his .449 on-base percentage was the best in the majors.

"Can that guy hit ropes?" said Detroit Tigers manager Sparky Anderson after a 1983 game. "He's one of the best-looking young hitters I've ever seen." Boggs' manager at the time, Ralph Houk, called him one of the most patient hitters he had ever seen: "He stays back and waits for his pitch. Wade's as good a two-strike hitter as I've ever seen. It's something you can't teach." Now firmly established as one of the game's great hitters, Boggs continued to spray line drives to all fields throughout every A.L. park. In 1985, his .368 batting average, a career best and the highest mark by a Red Sox player since Ted Williams hit .374 in 1957, not only led the big leagues, but his 240 hits were the most in baseball in 55 years. His 187 singles set a league record.

After the 1985 season, Williams was quoted as saying "Boggs is as smart a hitter as I've ever seen. The next five or six years will tell the tale, but if he keeps up like he's going now, he stands to be one of the greatest hitters of all time."

The 1986 season proved to be a special one for both Boggs and the Red Sox, as he led the league in batting for the fourth time, with a .357 average, while the team made it to the World Series, only to lose a seven-game heartbreaker to the New York Mets. Boggs collected nine hits against the Mets, batting .290, with three doubles and three runs batted in.

"Wade makes it seem so easy up there, and he seems to do the same thing every time up," said teammate Dwight Evans in 1986. Longtime opponent Don Mattingly claimed Boggs was so consistent at bat, he was boring: "If you understand and enjoy hitting, you appreciate his sameness. He's almost always hitting a line drive." Years later when he and Boggs were teammates, Mattingly said, "Boggsy is the best hitter I've ever seen, day in and day out. I've seen (Tony) Gwynn a little bit, but this guy is amazing."

Boggs would remain with the Red Sox for 11 seasons (1982-92), winning five batting titles, finishing second once, and third twice. He was the fourth player to begin his career with 10 or more consecutive .300 seasons, joining Paul Waner, Al Simmons and Ted Williams. In all, he collected 2,098 hits while with Boston. His seven consecutive seasons with 200 or more base hits (198389) set an A.L. record. Also during his tenure in Boston, he led the league in on-base percentage six times, runs scored, bases on balls and doubles twice each, and hits once.

After finishing the 1992 season with a .259 batting average, the first time Boggs had batted under .300 since his first minor league season, he signed a three-year free agent contract to play with the New York Yankees. Back to his old ways, he batted over .300 in his first four years with New York, including a .342 mark in the strike-shortened 1994 campaign. In 1996, he batted .311 during the season, and helped New York to a World Series title over the Atlanta Braves. His bases loaded walk off Steve Avery in the 10th inning of Game 4 drove in the winning run. After the Yankees won the Fall Classic in six games, the first title in his career, Boggs took a memorable victory lap around Yankee Stadium atop a policeman's horse.

Boggs played five seasons with the Yankees, batting .313. Defensively, he won Gold Glove awards at third base in 1994 and 1995; and at 36 years of age, he became the oldest first-time winner among non-pitchers.

It was back home for Boggs to finish out his playing career, as he signed as a free agent with the expansion Tampa Bay Devil Rays before the 1998 season. He got off to a fast start, hitting the first home run in team history, and the 40-year-old finished that first year with a.280 average. The next year, the final one of Boggs' illustrious career, he batted .301 and on August 7, 1999, became the 23rd member of the 3,000 hit club when he hit a home run off of Cleveland's Chris Haney at Tropicana Field, the first player to reach that milestone with a round-tripper.

Boggs was also known for his superstitions during his playing career, including his most famous one of eating chicken before every game. Others included taking exactly 150 ground balls during batting practice, taking batting practice before night games at 5:17 p.m. and running wind sprints at 7:17 p.m., and drawing the Hebrew word "Chai" in the batter's box with his foot before each at-bat.

Boggs, a 12-time All-Star, ended his 18-year (1982-99) major league career with 3,010 hits, 1,513 runs, 578 doubles, 61 triples, 118 home runs, 1,014 runs batted in, a .328 batting average and a .415 OBP. In his 2,432 career games, Boggs reached base safely in 80 percent of them.

After leaving the playing field, Boggs spent 2000 in the Devil Rays' front office as the special assistant to the general manager, then served as the team's hitting coach in 2001.

boy i tell yah...time does fly... My father gave me his rookie card growing up.. as a kid these players just seem to be ageless untill you grow up and realize wow...

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 4 replies

Detroit

2005-02-19T22:38:01Z

2005 Detroit Tigers to the playoffs!!!

Mark my words.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 26 replies

spring training

2005-02-14T18:11:19Z

i am headed to florida in march to catch some spring training. i will mostly be in either winter haven or tampa- any special recommendations from those of you who have been before?

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 8 replies

Testing

2005-02-08T16:50:18Z

Frankly, I don't believe that the new proposed testing went far enough. I think that ALL players should be subject to ramdom screenings at ALL times, during off and on season time. I think the MLB management has just scratched the surface of the problem. Time to, "clean the bases," as it were.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 0 replies

playoff predictions

2004-12-31T16:02:32Z

I predict that in the NL:

The Dodgers will collapse, with just a wee bit of controversy when the Giants beat them on the Saturday day game Shawn Green sits out for Yom Kippur. The Giants will win the West, and the Cubs will win the wild card. The Cardinals will beat the Giants in the NLDS, and the Cubs will beat the Braves again. In the NLCS, the Cubs pitching will defeat the Cardinals' hitting, and the Cubbies will make the WS for the first time in 59 years.

In the AL:

I admit that I'm biased (I'm a huge A's fan), but I think the A's will outlast the Rangers and Angels. The A's and Angels will split their six remaining games, and with a little help from Ichiro, Seattle will keep the Rangers down, and the A's will take the division by two games.

In the ALDS, the Athletics and Yankees will go at it, and I think the A's are finally going to win one. The Yankees aren't built for the 5 game series, and neither are the A's, but the A's have the superior starting pitching, as long as Mulder gets his head out of his ass.

I think the Twins will beat the Red Sox, but only because they have home field advantage. I think the home team will win all 5 games in this series.

In the ALCS, I predict Twins in six, even though it makes me want to vomit to say anything that might jinx a world championship for the A's. The Twins are just a better ballclub, the hottest in the AL of late.

In the WS, I say Twins over Cubs in seven, in some godawful heartbreaking way that makes the Bartman episode look like nothing.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 17 replies

What the HELL are the As doing?

2004-12-21T21:35:23Z

So, BillyBall has finally gone insane. Trading away Mulder and Hudson was teh single (or in this case double) stupidest thing he could have done. It would have been OK if he had got a couple of big bats, but he traded for nobodies. I know the Oakland budget is tight, but why the hell couldn't they hold onto them for at least a half year out of them, wring every last drop out of them and then trade them at the deadline?
The As have NO shot at winning the west now, not with Anaheim having improved so much. If they had just lost Mulder, that would have been OK. If they had traded for Morris or a guy like Ortiz (the offer was there) they would have been OK. But no names from the inside are what made the As the surprise franchise of the 1990s, not trades from teh outside.
Chris

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 4 replies

CHEATERS!!

2004-12-21T00:06:25Z

Bonds has admitted that he used Steroids. Though he still flat out lies to us, by trying to convince us that he did not know. I find that to be about as reasonable as the time I told my mom "I don’t smoke pot. I was just holding that for a friend..."

I point to Bonds in this argument in particular only because out of all the cheaters he gained the most. He has the possession of one baseballs most hallowed records 73 HRs and could possibly break arguably baseballs most revered record Hank Aarons all time HR record next year. He has achieved this while cheating.

The only anger I hear is expressed by the question "Is he still a first ballot hall of famer?" We should be asking if he should be allowed to play baseball again.

I’m not saying he "should" be kicked out. I’m saying it should at least be part of the discussions. He cheated and that’s unacceptable.

I hear people saying well what is worse this or Pete Rose? That’s like asking, "What is worse, liver or pancreatic cancer?" Cheaters should be dealt with harshly. This goes for Giambi and other cheaters too.

I know the steroids made Barry bigger but did they make him bigger than baseball?

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 6 replies

Guerilla Sports

2004-11-15T02:41:34Z

Hey folks! We just launched our web zine at:
http://www.guerillasports.com'

Please check it out and let me know what you think!

-mckenna

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 3 replies

Are the Phillies run by idiots?

2004-11-12T10:13:44Z

Why in the world would you ever, EVER hire Charlie Manuel as manager when Jim Leyland was not only available, but practically begging for the job?

Stuff like this is why they have only 1 championship in over 120 years!

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 4 replies

Red Sox SUCK!!!

2004-10-20T13:58:34Z

Red Sox SUCK!!!
Tke that friggin' picture off ~~~

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 4 replies

where are all t the Red Sox Fans Now?

2004-10-18T14:12:43Z

as of today the BoSox's are 4.5 games behind the NY Yankees. What happened to the Red Sox nation. Are you guys waiting for the All Star Break or what? When the season started it was all I could do not to believe all the hype. Now that the BoSox are back into their usual spot behind the Yanks, I dont hear them talking. Wassup kids?

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 20 replies

Caminiti, dead

2004-10-14T22:06:18Z

http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3068808

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 7 replies

Favorite Ball Quotes

2004-09-28T21:19:52Z

Congratulations. I knew the record would stand until it was broken.
-Yogi Berra

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 37 replies

new teams in playoffs

2004-09-27T22:20:17Z

I'm tired of the dynasties in baseball. I want to see some different teams in the playoffs next year. I'm not going to hold my breath, but this is what I want to see.

I want to see the Devil Rays kick ass and take names, playing littleball with Carl Crawford as Rickey Henderson.

I want to see the Tigers dominate the central, and Dmitri Young hit fifty homers.

I wouldn't mind seeing the new look Rangers make the playoffs... just not this year, because I love my A's.

What about the Phillies making the playoffs again, as long as Bowa's not the manager?

And it's about time to see the Reds again. It's been almost ten years. Let them pick up a pitcher or two and get lucky.

Go Padres!

And to think, all this would take are some minor cataclysms, mixed in with hamstring injuries and a few choice acts of god!

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 0 replies

Dodgers Suck right now...

2004-09-27T22:07:00Z

The pain, ohhhhh, the paaaaiin!! Not "ze plane," the "Pain."

It hurts when ya get swept by the friggin Giants and then go go home and get pushed around by those poopbutts from the OC.
I need a drink!

I am so close to calling for Jim Tracy's noggin. I think we need a new infusion of blood in EL Eh!

Ever the optimist, it'll get better. No prob.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 15 replies

cool baseball references

2004-09-24T06:17:05Z

Check out this website I recently discovered.

www.baseball-reference.com

What do you think?

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 2 replies

22-0!!! No Mercy!!!

2004-09-18T17:28:24Z

That was incredible---the yanks getting their arse handed to em like that! Couldn't let that go uncontested, could we?!

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 3 replies

WGN =

2004-08-02T05:09:59Z

We Got Nomar!

Okay okay, I'm sure he'll get broken again soon, but let me enjoy my delusion that this move will help us make the wild card.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 1 reply

Ken Griffey Jr.

2004-07-13T23:48:39Z

... need I say more?

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 17 replies

Superhero Baseball Team

2004-07-13T23:47:35Z

Here's a thought, if you could put together a fantasy superhero baseball team, who would you have and at what positions.

Only one rule, no Superman cop outs, he's an illegal alien anyway. :-)

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 3 replies

Holy Schnike!

2004-07-02T07:30:52Z

Yanks/BoSox... What a friggin' game ---
I'm not a Jankee fan but Yo, they made the SmellSocks look like garbage -- Jeter is such a great player!!!
BTW -
Pedro almost got the SH*T kicked outta him... I love it!

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 0 replies

Subway Series

2004-06-26T19:05:22Z

WTF?
Mets are whuppin' the Yanks like nobody's bizness!
Gotta love the underdog!!!!!!!!!

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 1 reply

where are the dodger fans?

2004-06-21T22:58:57Z

I went to Dodger Stadium last night. Dodgers are in first place, great game, beautiful stadium, perfect weather. The park was near empty. Where were the fans?? I come from SF, where Giants tickets are like gold...

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 7 replies

MLB college degrees

2004-06-15T07:48:38Z

How many current MLB players have college degrees? I heard Jim Rome talking to Mike Mussina (Stanford grad) about this this morning.

17!

How crazy is that? 30 teams, 25 players each = 750 total players. 17 out of 750.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 8 replies

Juiced Ball?

2004-05-27T16:04:37Z

I'm of the opinion that it's not the juiced ball that is causing the explosion in the number of home runs, but the pitching that is causing it.
If you look at the 1970s and 80s, you see that the average pitcher quality is much higher than today(thank you over-expansion) and the nubmer of pitchers who throw 90 MPH or more has exploded. There were maybe 10 pitchers in the seventies who regularly threw 90 throughout a game (Nolan Ryan of course being the standard) and since we've seen even average pitchers start to toss near the triple digits that we've seen a huge increase in the number of home runs.
Chris

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 2 replies

pitch counts

2004-05-10T21:07:45Z

Pretty interesting article on the science of monitoring pitch counts:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=schwarz_alan&id=1790788

I'm actually surprised they don't discuss more complex formuals. Like the one GM says, injury history, body type, and delivery seem crucial to the impact. I'd also include how hard the pitcher throws and what types of pitches.

120 pitches from Livan Hernandez (6'2" and throws nothing but junk) is a lot different than 120 pitches from Pedro Martinez (5'11" flame thrower).

But you gotta love the quote from Leo Mazzone: "My eyes are gonna tell me more than any (expletive) number." Keep on rocking, Leo.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 0 replies

johnny damon's comments

2004-05-07T20:59:38Z

anyone else hear johnny damon's comments about manny ramirez watching his homerun? i think he came off as such an idiot.
manny ramirez has earned the "right to pimp it". wtf.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 22 replies

citizen's bank park

2004-05-07T20:55:13Z

it is so very cool! i love baseball now, more than ever before.

go phils!!

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 2 replies

God blessed baseball this morning!!!

2004-05-06T00:09:42Z

Just in case you hadn't heard. The lowly Tampa Bay Devil Rays spanked the Yankees 8-3 on their season opener. Hopefully God will continue to bless baseball in this fashion throughout the season!

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 4 replies

booooooooo yank fans booooooooo

2004-05-05T00:33:22Z

why why do you boooooo jeter....the best player on your team...the player every year comes in the clutch...so what if he is going through a ruff time....what are you guys spoiled..or what......

boomer
GO OAKLAND.........................

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 7 replies

COULD THE BOSOX WIN!

2004-05-04T16:43:28Z

the bosox well wonders never cease to amaze. Well folks sorry I have been away for a couple mths. the tribe has doubled in size wow and the yankees are sucking lemons. The pirates are improving and the mets are now a good looking team. Well the bosox are awesome! Could they make the series win?
mary

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 3 replies

Somebody care to explain this to me?

2004-05-01T01:13:57Z

SO, I'm looking at the standings, and I see
- The Yankees below .500 and 3rd in the NL East behind Boston and BALTIMORE?
- Oakland and Seattle 3rd and 4th in AL West (behind TEXAS?)
- The NL Central is the strongest division in the NL (even Milwaukee doesn't have a losing record!)
- Philly below .500 and 3rd in the AL East, despite their offseason acquisitions
-The Giants and Diamondbacks sucking it up in NL West (okay, no *real* surprise there, but still...)

What the hell happened?

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 7 replies

And so it begins

2004-04-26T23:09:59Z

Tonight the first of NINETEEN meetings between The Yanks and the BoSoxs. We all know how it will end, Yanks winn the series Sox end season in second place. Since this is written in the stars why do we care? I think we care because its like watching Jerry Springer. I think we care because its like rubbernecking accident on the side of the road. I think we watch just to feel the pain of being a Red Socks Fan. Yes, we are all SADIST and VOYUERS; We want to watch other people suffer. The reason I say its to watch BoSox fans suffer is Whether we (Yankee Fans) win or loose we know our team is gonna come out on top in the end. BoSox fans want nothing else but to beat the Yanks to get some kind of respect. When they win the BIG Series aka the World Series someone might respect them, they dont get anything for going and not winning. Unlike Cubs fans who have really suffered (When was the last time they even went to the W.S.), the BoSox have been, but they CHOKED!!! They failed to capitalize, on the bad Yankee years, and now they want to steal our sunshine. HATERS!!!!

So, as I said at the top: AND SO IT BEGINS!!!!

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 18 replies

barry bonds

2004-04-24T15:40:59Z

i'm gonna try to match his numbers. problem is i don't watch the news. so let me know if he hits anymore. thanks sports fans.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 0 replies

Dodgers

2004-04-16T23:20:35Z

So what you think it will be..success this time?

I know it was new ownership from Fox, but they won't have too much cash for getting better guys that's good for them.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 2 replies

God Goes Deep

2004-04-15T16:08:34Z

For most of my life I have been a confirmed atheist, but I was wrong. There is a God, and his name is Barry Bonds.

This afternoon, the Giants are playing the Brewers...Barry comes up in the bottom of the fifth inning with two out, runners on first and second, and the Brewers ahead 4 to 2.

Immediately, without hesitation, I said out loud (to no one listening), "Walk him." That's totally against standard baseball strategic logic -- but this is Barry Bonds, and an intentional walk to Bonds in that situation would not be unprecedented.

What happened? The pitcher threw three straight balls and I thought, okay, they're not going to give Barry anything to hit. I sure wouldn't.

But then on 3-0, Barry gets a pitch to swing at and fouls it off. If I'm the pitcher at that point, I'm thinking "I got away with one there, but I'm not going to take my chances again. That would just be stupid."

And it would be.

And it was.

Barry just hit a 3-1 pitch out of the stadium and into San Francisco Bay. The Giants lead 5 to 4. Barry's tied Willie Mays for third all-time with 660 home runs.

There is a God. He wears #25 and plays left field. I'll never doubt again.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 4 replies

don't call it a comeback

2004-04-14T21:48:52Z

11-9, Sox > Royals.

Damn, that was a good game.

I must say, I was gettin nervous and having flasbacks to the opener once KC took the lead. But mah boys kicked some ass!

WHite Sox are tearin it up! Sure Detroit is in first, but they haven't played the southsiders yet. Once they do, we'll kick their ass, in the game and probably on the side, too. :D

There's still time to jump on the bandwagon. I have full confidence that my boys will take the division. Central has never been the toughest one, but KC and Twins having been showing promise in recent years. Tigers is a fluke at the moment, but its ncie to have more competetion.
Hey, remember when Indians were good?

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 0 replies

detroit tigers

2004-04-11T18:38:54Z

4-0? who would have thought it? and they beat the jays and twins. pudge for mvp again??????

i know its early, but this is fun

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 6 replies

throwback uniforms

2004-04-09T22:12:05Z

im 33. this year the pirates are celebrating the 25th anniversay of thier last world championship. they will be having games where they will wearthier 1979 or throwback uniforms. god do i feel old. i can still remember when they wore them all the time.

BTW where did the term throwback come from. i remember when it was dubbed "turn back the clock night"

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 4 replies

going for the "cycle"

2004-04-08T01:40:00Z

Charlie Hamilton enjoys cycling and always wanted to see every major league ballpark. Hey, why not combine the two passions?

The Red Sox fan set off last weekend on a six-month, 11,000-mile sojourn that will take him from Atlanta's Turner Field to Boston's Fenway Park -- with Dodger Stadium, Wrigley Field and 26 other big league stadiums sprinkled in along the way.

Excusing the mixed metaphors, this is hardly a slam dunk.

``I hope I can pull it off,'' said Hamilton, sounding a bit worried about keeping his 80-mile-a-day schedule. ``It's going to be tough. There might be times when I have to cheat and take a bus, just to make up time.''

At first glance, Hamilton's quest seems, well, a bit kooky.

He gave up his job as a software engineer, with no guarantee it will be there when he gets back. He left behind his wife of seven years, knowing they won't get many chances to see each other over the next six months. Though he's trying to go on the cheap -- camping out along the way, relying on the generosity of friends, family and strangers -- the trip could cost $20,000.

``When I told my parents, they were like, 'OK, next subject,''' Hamilton said. ``It took a while before they finally believed I was serious about it. My boss was like, 'You're crazy.'''

Actually, the genesis of this big adventure was a question from Hamilton's wife, Molly. She asked if there was anything he had always wanted to do. ``Gee, I'd love to see all the ballparks,'' he replied. Hamilton also had done some cycling over the years. ``Why not combine them,'' he thought to himself.

The idea grew from there. Last September, as the pennant races were winding down, Hamilton geared up. He unfolded a map of the country and began planning things out.

``I didn't know if it was even possible,'' said Hamilton, who couldn't finalize his plans until baseball released its 2004 schedule.

While the trip started out as a purely personal endeavor, he wound up with a higher purpose: raising money for cancer research.

Hamilton got together with the Pan-Mass Challenge, which runs the country's most successful cycling event for charity in his home state. Since 1980, more than $102 million has been generated for research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The arrangement made sense -- Dana-Farber's work is supported by the Jimmy Fund, the official charity of the Red Sox.

Hamilton hopes to raise $125,000 for the Jimmy Fund, using his Web site and business cards -- made up by his wife -- that he'll hand out along the way. He's asking for donations of a penny per mile, which works out to about $110.

``I really don't care about getting publicity for myself,'' Hamilton said. ``But if I can help raise money for charity, that's great.''

Through the Pan-Mass Challenge, Hamilton met 15-year-old Eric Donovan, who is being treated for bone cancer in the Boston area. They plan to stay contact via e-mail and cell phone.

``It gives him a different focus,'' said Donovan's mother, Kathie. ``We can at least help raise some money.''

Billy Starr, executive director and founder of the Pan-Mass Challenge, said the organization has worked with plenty of other cyclists on cross-country treks.

``But Charlie is the first one using the ballpark motif to propel himself across the country,'' Starr said.

Hamilton, who lives in suburban Boston, flew to Atlanta last week to begin his trip. He watched the Braves play an exhibition game against the Red Sox at Turner Field, then headed off for an eight-day ride to Miami's Pro Player Stadium. He'll attend Sunday's game between the Marlins and Phillies.

Checking in from the road Wednesday, Hamilton said a couple of flat tires were his only problems thus far. Oh yeah, his rump was a little sore, too, but he was a bit ahead of schedule, pedaling 110 miles on his third day.

``I stop to eat a huge lunch,'' Hamilton said by cell phone from Marineland, Fla., south of Jacksonville. ``It's great. You can eat whatever you want.''

He plans to end his trip Sept. 26, the Red Sox final home game against the New York Yankees (``I hope I can get a ticket,'' he writes on his Web site).

By then, if all goes according to plan, he will have experienced a big part of Americana. Chicago's Wrigley Field is No. 1 on his list. Dodger Stadium is another prime target, along with the new parks in San Diego and Philadelphia. Even Tropicana Field, a generally reviled dome in Tampa, will get a look.

``I definitely want to see them all,'' Hamilton said. ``I'm not real thrilled about Tropicana Field, but I definitely want to see it.''

The schedule is tight in some places. A rainout could mess things up, since he'll make some stops right before the home team leaves on a long road trip. Riding in stormy weather is another concern.

Already, though, the trip has given Hamilton a new view of life. He got a couple of free lunches, plus a free haircut, from those who admire the magnitude of his journey.

``I'm usually kind of a cynical person,'' Hamilton said. ``People have been great to me about the whole thing. It's been a really nice experience.''

On the Net:

Hamilton: www.hitforthecycle.org

Pan-Mass Challenge: www.pmc.org

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 0 replies

10 Questions for the 2004 Season

2004-04-07T18:49:25Z

1) After 12 straight years of winning their division, will the losses of Javy Lopez, Greg Maddux, etc., and the rise of the Phillies result in the Braves streak finally ending?

2) At age 40, will Barry Bonds continue to put up the same record breaking numbers, or will father time finally catch up to him?

3) Will the haze of a steroid scandal result in lower scoring and power numbers?

4) Will the Baltimore Oriole's additions of Miguel Tejada, Javy Lopez, etc. make any difference given the improvements by the Yankees, BoSox and Blue Jays?

5) Will Roger Clemens remain the same pitcher? Or will age and/or the fear of having to finally face an opposing pitcher effect him?

6) Will the cost-cutting Diamondbacks fall apart? or will Randy Johnson remain the rock upon which they build their season?

7) Will the Cubs dominate the NL Central? Or will they be challenged by the Astros, Cards?

8) Will the revamped Angels be the new kings of the AL West? Or will Oakland and/or Seattle still be too strong?

9) Will Rickey Henderson play another major league game?

10) Has Detroit improved enough to make a difference? And if so, who will be the worst of 2004?

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 12 replies

former MLB manager george bamberger dies

2004-04-07T05:17:54Z

NORTH REDINGTON BEACH, Fla. - George Bamberger, a former major league pitcher who became a coach and managed Milwaukee's "Bambi's Bombers" teams in the late 1970s, died of cancer. He was 80.

Bamberger, who also managed the New York Mets (news), died Sunday at home in North Redington Beach, according to Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home and Cemetery in Seminole.

"He was perfect for Milwaukee," said baseball commissioner Bud Selig, whose family has controlled the team since 1970. "I remember he'd get to the ballpark early, see people tailgating and he'd stop and have a beer with them. He was really a beloved figure here."

Bamberger was the Baltimore Orioles pitching coach from 1968 to 1977, helping produce AL Cy Young Award winners four times with Jim Palmer and Mike Cuellar and pitchers who won 20 or more games 18 times.

After the 1977 season, Selig hired Harry Dalton as Milwaukee's general manager and Dalton hired Bamberger as his manager. He led the team to 93-69 record in 1978 and 95-66 the following year.

A heart ailment that required bypass surgery after the season limited Bamberger to 92 games in 1980.

"He taught me a lot," Selig said. "There's nobody who knew pitching like he did. He believed pitchers should throw more. He didn't like the five-day rotation."

Bamberger came out of retirement to manage the Mets in 1982 and part of 1983 before returning to manage the Brewers in 1985 and 1986. He had 458-478 record as a major league manager, including 377-351 with the Brewers.

Bamberger was a right-handed pitcher who spent most of his playing career in the minor leagues, including 15 years at Triple-A. He won 213 games in the minors from 1946 to 1963, but never had a decision and compiled a 9.42 ERA in 10 major league games over 14 1-3 innings with the New York Giants (news) in 1951 and 1952 and Orioles in 1959.

While baseball reference books list Bamberger's birth date as August 1, 1925, his daughter, Lori Bailey, said her father was born in 1923.

Bamberger was raised in Staten Island, N.Y. He was in the U.S. Army during War II.

In 1979, Bamberger moved from Baltimore to Redington Beach.

Survivors include his wife, Wilma, to whom he was married for 53 years; three daughters; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

At the request of the family, there will be no services.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 1 reply

opening day loss tradition continues

2004-04-06T13:26:36Z

Really, now. How do you fuck up a 7-2 lead in the ninth?

I swear, teams I like are cursed.

That, btw, was ChiSox I was complaining about. Royals took it 8-7. Fuckers.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 4 replies

Red Sox fans...

2004-04-06T02:51:33Z

In response to all the Yankee 'haters' from our opening day loss to the Devil Rays...

now we're even.

posted in God Bless Baseball ! - 12 replies